SEAT takes recycling to new levels

Expert Rating:

What is it?

If the saloon you're looking at here is giving you a distinct sense of déjà vu, it's because you're seeing a mis-badged Audi A4 facelift. But there's been no Spanish-German factory mix-up - this is SEAT's new Exeo. Here are the ingredients: take one Audi A4 circa 2005, change the front and rear lights, rip out the interior, replace it with the cabin from an Audi A4 Cabriolet, and Juan's your uncle; SEAT has a three-box saloon. It's a good thing for the maker, too - the traditional saloon accounts for 18 percent of all European new car sales, making it the third largest segment.

Is it any good?

Better than just being an old Audi, thankfully. Taken on its own merits (which, granted, is almost impossible to do given it's screamingly obvious underpinnings), the Exeo is a very well sorted out saloon. It has no pretentions of sportiness - which is unusual for SEAT and actually a bit sad - but it goes about the business of being composed and comfortable in a manner worthy of a car with such an illustrious engineering past.

That means it's irrelevant to muse about its on-limit handling prowess and steering feedback (both of which aren't bad, as it happens), and more appropriate to say how comfortable it is - with or without Sport suspension - which is a free option on Sport-spec cars. It smoothes out the road without wallowing or bouncing around on either a motorway or a back road, and whatever of the three available engines is under the bonnet, it's got enough power to avoid feeling wheezy. Forget about the 197bhp petrol option though - it's too expensive to run and doesn't feel as quick as its paper stats suggest - but both the 141bhp and the 168bhp turbodiesels are strong and economical. They're tried-and-tested VW Group common rail units, so that's no surprise really.

Should I call the bank manager?

Because of its obvious Audi underpinnings, the Exeo seems to be naturally shooting a little higher than cars traditionally considered mainstream in a traditionally mainstream pack. The thing is, all and sundry want their rep-mobiles to be upmarket these days - since everyone started buying a 3 Series instead of a Vectra - so the lines are blurred. Therefore, think of this as a rival to any C-segment saloon you care to mention; be it a Ford Mondeo, a Vauxhall Insignia, a VW Passat, a Skoda Superb or a Honda Accord - the list goes on. But, SEAT reckons the Exeo's USP is a heady blend of quality, equipment and, most importantly, bargain pricing unseen elsewhere.

Think about it - not so long ago, the very car you see here had four rings on the grille and would set you back over £20k even in the most impoverished of specifications. Now, less than £18k will buy you all that quality and engineering heritage, but with dual-zone climate control, alloy wheels, Bluetooth hands free phone connectivity, all electric windows, heated electric door mirrors and a multi function steering wheel thrown in - all mated to a smooth, economical and strong 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine. Not bad - and the bank manager will be pleased.

Summary

The Exeo smacks of a really well engineered product, from the way the switchgear feels, to the way the glove box is damped (the chilled glove box, no less) and the way it feels unflustered in any driving situation. If you're the type who's happy to sup champagne from an Asti bottle, because inner quality is more important than appearance (not to compare SEAT to Asti, or the Exeo to champagne, for that matter) - then this might be right up your alley. However, here in the UK we like our badges because we like our neighbours to think we're doing ok for ourselves. That's why, we fear, this car may be destined for taxi ranks and rental company car lots - which is a real shame, because it's a very good car. If only SEAT had re-styled it properly - like they did when turning the Mk V Golf into the current Leon - the Exeo might have been a funky, leftfield alternative in a segment that's getting genuinely interesting again. As it is, however, it's probably going to be too much like buying into nostalgia. Pity.

Mark Nichol